Bicycle



(No Model.)

H. W. LIBBEY. BICYCLE.

Noi 509,919.V

Patented Deo. 5, 1893.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

HOSEA W. LIBBEY, OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS.

BICYCLE.

SPECIFICATION forming' part of Letters Patent No. 509,919, dated December 5` 1893.

Application tiled January 13, 1893. Serial No. 458,200. (No model.)

To a/ZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HOSEA W. LIBBEY, a citizen of the United States, residing at Boston, in the county of Suffolk and State of Massachusetts, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Bicycles, of which the following, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, is a specification.

The object of my invention is to produce a bicycle that can be propelled by steam power.

The invention consists of a front wheel and a rear steering Wheel, preferably having a double tread, connected together by suitable frame work to which frame is secured a casing divided so as to form a Water reservoir and a boiler, to the sides of which are secured steam cylinders the piston rods of which are connected by pitrnen to the cranks on the axle of the front wheel and in certain details of construction as hereinafter fully described and pointed out in the claims.

Referring to the accompanying drawings:- Figure 1- represents a side view of a bicycle embodying my invention. Fig. 2--is a vertical longitudinal section through the water reservoir and boiler. Fig. 3- is a vertical Section taken on the line fr, of Fig. l.

A, represents the front or driving wheel, B, the rear or steering wheel. The front wheel is mounted in a vertical fork C, secured to or formed in one with the back bone D, which is preferably of the loop pattern, and at its rear end is made double or forked, the prongs d, CZ', of which extend over the center of the rear wheel B, and embrace the upper end of the steering post E, of the fork E', in which the rear or steering wheel B, is mounted.

To the back bone or frame D, is secured a casing of sheet metal, which is divided by two horizontal partitions f, g, so as to form a water reservoir F, a boiler G, and a lamp chamber H. On each side of this casing is secured a steam cylinder I, the piston rod t', of which is, by a pitman j, connect-ed to the crank J, on the axle of the front or driving wheel.

f', is a short piece of pipe on the top of the water reservoir through which the latter is lled. This pipe is closed by a plug when not required for use. The lower end of the reser- Voir F, is in communication with the lower portion of the boiler G, by apipe K, provided `not in use.

with a suitable cock or valve k, to regulate the supply of water to the boiler. A water gage L, is secured to the side of the boiler and a gage L', is secured to the reservoir, so that the amount of water in them can be readily seen. To the topof the boiler are secured three pipes M, N, P, that pass up through and out of the reservoir F. To the top of the pipe M, is secured a pop safety valve m; tc the top of the pipe N, a steam gage n, and to the top of the pipe P, a steam whistle p, that can be operated by the rider by a cord p', when required.

The safety valve, steam gage and whistle are inclosed in a hood a, open at its rear facing the rider, and to each side of this hood is secured a looking glass lw, that can be adj usted to any desired inclination so that the rider may see what is at the rear or on the sides of him.

Q, is a lamp or lamps arranged in the chan1 ber H. The sides or doors of this chamber are preferably bulged outward as shown in Fig. 3, and fitted with mica so that the light from the lamp may be diifused on each side of the vehicle whereby the rider can see the condition of the road over which he is traveling.

Steam is admitted from the top of the boiler G, to the cylinder I, on each side byapipe R, fitted with a suitable valve that can be operated by the rider through a hand lever q, and connecting rods r, s.

Zc, is the exhaust pipe, Z, a blow oif cock, and Z, Z', are draw off cocks. J

S, is a head light attached to the top of the reservoir. `T, is a gong that can be operated by the foot of the driver by moving the foot rest U, which is pivoted to the side of the reservoir.

V, is the seat preferably supported as shown, and WV, is a two armed lever secured to the topof the steering post E, by means of which the rider operates the steering Wheel B, which is preferably formed with two tires so that the vehicle will have three resting points. Thus it will maintain a vertical position when Although I have not shown any reversing gear, it is obvious that if desired the same can be applied so that should the rider desire to go backward, or should he desire to stop IOO Y* by a loop frame, a fiatewater reservoir and,

quickly he can accomplish the same by operating the reversing mechanism.

What I claim isl. A bicycle consisting of a front driving and a rear steering wheel connected'together by a suitable frame, a flat water reservoir and boiler secured to said frame in the plane of the wheels and carrying a steam cylinder on each side and connecting rods to transmit motion to cranks on the axle of the driving wheel substantially as set forth.

2. Abicycle consisting of a front driving and a rear steering wheel, connected together boiler secured to theframe between the wheels, the front and rear ends of said reservoir and boiler substantially conforming to the curvature of the wheels, a steam cylinder upon each side of the boiler, and connecting rods to transmit motion io cranks on the axle of the driving Wheel, substantially as set forth.

3. In a bicycle, the combination with a frame, of a dat sheet iron casing secured thereto, two horizontal partitions in said casing forming a Water reservoir, a boiler, and a lamp chamber, one above the other, a steam cylinder upon each side of the casing, and connecting rods to transmit the motion to cranks on the axle of the driving wheel, substantially as set forth.

4. In a bicycle, the combination, with a frame, of a flat sheet iron casing secu red thereto, two horizontal partitions in said casing forming a water reservoir, a boiler and alam'p chamber, three pipes secured to the top cf the casing and to the upper partition, the upper ends of said pipes being provided with a safety valve, steam gage and whistle, respectively, and means for driving the bicycle by means of the steam generated in the boiler, substantially as set forth.

5. In a bicycle, the combination with a frame, of a casing secured thereto, the lower portion of which is formed into a lamp chamber, the sides of said chamber being bulged outward and Iitted with mica, so that the light from the lamp may be diffused on each side cycle by the steam generated in the boiler, substantially as set forth.

6. In a bicycle, the combination with a frame, of a fiat casing secured thereto, forming a boiler a steam cylinder upon each side of the casing, each cylinder being provided with a piston and a rod for connection with one of the Wheels, a pipe leading from the boiler to each cylinder, and provided with a valve, a handle at the side of the bicycle, and connecting rods between the handle and the valve in the pipe, substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification, in the presence of two subscribing witnesses, on this 30th day of November, A. D. 1892.

IIOSEA W. LIBBEY.

Witnesses:

CHAS. STEERE,

EDWIN PLANTA.

il; the Vehicle, and means for driving the hi- 

